The SoGoPro Street Team Award Winner for February....

Alina :) Post this to your blog, use it as a profile picture somewhere- Whatever you like! :)
Thanks always to MM for making the award!!!!

New poll is up for March voting to start up!

Leave your comments of praise for our dear Alina! :)

jumping onto the bandwagon

hehe...I am enjoying these responses. Especially the answers to Number 2!

1. If I weren't in full-time Physical Rehab, I'd be outside running, hiking and climbing like no tomorrow.


2. When I'm super upset my face distorts and I get really, really quiet and huff in an attempt to calm myself down. Because if I don't, I totally let rip.  Which I tend to do on most occasions anyway.

3. My favorite thing about myself is my ability to see the world in a different light.  I notice small details that get me really excited.

4. If I found a $100 in the pocket of last winter's coat I'd see what current musical is playing at the time and book myself a ticket!  I'd also treat myself to Max Brenner (chocolate cafe)

5. Even though some people might consider this a flaw, I'm ridiculously honest. I see things how they are and I speak my mind.  Not to the point where I am rude and inappropriate.  It's all tactful...and I hold back so much...I find it hard to lie about things.

6. I love the way I feel when I've finished some major project that has some form of significance, and I'm thrilled and satisfied with the end result.  It's a huge feeling of accomplishment.

7. I love my hair most when I wake up in the morning and it miraculously looks grand.

all things music...

The passing of SGP's first anniversary made me think about when I joined this wonderful community and what I was doing at the time.
Then I remembered, the 26th of July, the day after I signed up I was playing the last game of Netball I probably ever will.  That day my body betrayed me.  My knee collapsed as I landed, and that night not being able to move I sat on my Mac Book and watched every single Vlog the Hellick had recorded; and the next day I started on the blogs…
It was a memorable moment for me on so many levels, and I was kind of curious how everyone else threw themselves into this world?
Kendall asked what artists from past podcasts have become a part of our lives.  I’ve been slowly becoming familiar with each and every single artist and band SGP have supported.  As a result I have become a new fan of a great many of them.  So to choose just one is going to be particularly difficult for me.  Not to mention the fact that I’ve still not gotten through them all.  I like to take my time.  So perhaps I may update with my thoughts at a later date.
I completely love the work of Bibis Ellison.  Though with her aside there are a great many more from the podcasts that have truly hit a mark with me.  Not to mention SGP’S ‘Music Monday’ suggestions, the lastfm page, Hilarie and Nick’s pickings, Pedestrian playlist...and a great many, many, many, many more. 

Though the stand outs for me personally are as follows:

 ‘Pearl and the Bear Band’ are simply beautiful.  Perfect for taking with you to the beach, laying on the sand, closing your eyes and just letting the music carry you.
It’s fun, and cruising.

I could paint all day to ‘The Rest’ they just have this really mellow, relaxing sensation.  Of course what I choose to listen to would ultimately depend on my mood at the time; this one would be for a good day.

‘The Low Anthem’, totally in love with the old sound they have going.  It’s porch worthy.

‘Wakey Wakey’ are most definitely astoundingly chill worthy.  I am in love with 'War Sweater' (listen to it) The message really hits home for me.  And it's songs like this that I live for.

I consider 'Gabe Dixon Band', a ‘put the top down on your car and just drive’ band.  I really love these guys.  …and for that reason I would have to say that so far I’m vibing on them most! 

‘Disappear’ is insanely sweet.

“Music calls us home when we’re looking for the answer”, ‘Music calls us Home’, Gabe Dixon Band.  You can’t put it any simpler.

I honestly don’t have a favourite just yet.  They each bring something different to the table and as a result I can not make a decision just yet when it comes to voting.  Plus there is so much more I still need to listen to and familiarise myself with.
The idea of supporting each of these bands and purchasing their albums, leaves me absolutely excited and beyond thrilled.  Unfortunately I have to pace myself as I’ve not been blessed with an endless supply of cash.  Never the less, there are great many tools to listen to music online via lastfm and myspace, and I’m happy with that.
While I can not play an instrument and compose music I have a huge appreciation for it.  It’s an art all unto itself.  To be recognised is a hugely satisfying accomplishment.  And to have a song move you to tears, offer realisation, hold a sense of hope, release bottled up anger/stress/an emotion of any sort, is greatly satisfying.
If you haven’t checked out SGP’S Street Team Music Page yet, you really should spend a couple of days rifling through it all.  And yes I mean days, possibly even weeks!
Do yourself a favour and open up a page and listen to the bands and artists tracks, you may just discover something magical.

-Alina

Utter Brilliance

I felt compelled to share something with you all.
This man is deeply talented and I am in awe of his work.
Seeing as it was just Halloween and Jaclyn and Loic shared with us their very on carvings of SGP pumpkins (which are absolutely INCREDIBLE!)







I thought I would show you the likes of Ray Villafane's work:



This photo is just priceless! I consider that one of the luckiest children ever! To be made over with facial hair and transformed into a werewolf is simply epic.

I love a good villain and the following link below is a progression in handling sand on a level I can not fathom; and transforming it into a mountain of brilliance. Take a squiz. You will be far from disappointed. In fact you may start to hyperventilate at the sheer size and monstrosity of such a project.

Dantescroll


ENJOY!
-Alina

In lieu of a story...

AIGHT!

I am currently undergoing a huge mind battle, as evil procrastination is seeping into my consciousness. No matter how hard I try to fight it, the urge grows ever stronger.
So as a sense of release for what awaits me after I post this; I decided to answer: If you could have a member of The Hellick read you a bedtime story, it'd be?

Without a doubt, Alice in Wonderland. Now I have to explain. I love the story by Lewis Carroll; it has incredible potential. Disney version has little to be desired. Actually no, I am a fan of it but it hasn't worked its way under my skin and settled into my heart as yet.
I am sure Tim Burton will do nothing but amaze and astound me with his eagerly anticipated version due to be released next year (nothing but ecstatic about this).
Though back to the point. I would want each of them to read it to me. Playing alternate characters of course. I can imagine how it would be changed and adapted to the Southern Gothic feel. Now that would be a story I would love to fall asleep to.

Hmm...I suppose I should do something of an introductory sort. I am Alina aka Ranting_Llama on SoGoPro. Thrilled to be a part of this whole magical place and intrigued to see what comes out of it each and everyday.

Cheers!
-Alina